In a symbolic ceremony the local community of Penmachno recently gathered to welcome an original copy of the Welsh Bible to Ty Mawr Wybrnant, birthplace of Bishop William Morgan, the first translator of the Bible into Welsh.

Despite being over 400 years old, the leather-bound copy was purchased in excellent condition from Coleg Harlech, with support from Meirionnydd National Trust Association and Dyffryn Clwyd National Trust Association.

The Bishop of Bangor, Andy John, blessed the Bible before handing it over to Ty Mawr Wybrnant’s first custodian, Iola Wyn Jones, who received the Bible on our behalf. The normally quiet and remote valley was a hive of activity and local schoolchildren sang their favourite hymns.

Invaluable legacy

Bishop William Morgan spent nine years translating the Old and New Testaments from Greek and Hebrew into Welsh.

In 1588, a thousand copies were printed and about 800 of them were distributed to churches in Wales. For the first time, services would be held in Welsh and William Morgan’s Welsh would pave the way for the language for years to come.

Indeed, this translation has widely been accredited as the single most important act in ensuring the survival of the Welsh language.

A gem of a place

The Bible is now on display, alongside over 100 copies in various other languages, such as Swahili, Thai and Estonian, many of which have been donated by visitors.

‘We’re delighted and very proud to be able to have an original copy on show for visitors to see,’ said Custodian, Gerwyn Edwards.